Background: why this RTI was filed
EIILM University, Sikkim is already on record in this library: UGC's CPP-I/PU Section confirmed in February 2026 that the university was dissolved. But many EIILM degrees in circulation were earned through distance mode, and the question for employers is narrower — which distance programmes, in which years, were ever approved?
The RTI dated 28.01.2026 asked UGC's Distance Education Bureau exactly that, along with questions on a Mauritius branch campus, Sikkim Alpine University as a possible successor, and public disclosure compliance.
| Document | UGC-DEB reply under RTI Act 2005 |
| Reference | F.No. 1-1086/2026(RIA)/176169 |
| Date | March 2026 (stamped 13 Mar 2026) |
| Signed by | Sanjay Kumar, Under Secretary |
| Annexure-I | DEC letter dated 09.09.09 |
| Pages | 5 |
What the document says
The Bureau's answer on distance education is short and specific. EIILM University, “which is a Private University”, was recognised for only one academic year, 2009-10, to offer three programmes through distance mode: B.A (Hospitality & Tourism), BCA and MBA. “No further recognition has been accorded.”
The enclosed DEC letter of 09.09.09 shows what was refused. On the Joint Committee's recommendations, DEC did not recommend eight programmes, including MCA, M.Sc (Biotechnology), MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) and three engineering diplomas. The letter also fixed EIILM's territorial jurisdiction as Sikkim State, prohibited franchised study centres, required study centres to be owned by the university, and warned that recognition would be withdrawn without notice if norms were flouted.
On the Mauritius question, the reply does not name Mauritius. It states that the university was not authorised to open study or off-campus centres beyond Sikkim, and that private universities cannot run programmes through franchising “through distance mode or even for regular mode”. Questions on Section 2(f), dissolution, Sikkim Alpine University and disclosure were referred back to the CPP-I/PU Section's earlier reply.
Key findings
Recognised for one academic year only
DEC accorded recognition for one academic year w.e.f. 2009-10, on the recommendation of the Joint Committee of UGC-AICTE-DEC. No further recognition was accorded.
Only three programmes approved
B.A (Hospitality & Tourism), BCA and MBA — each listed as 3 years in the DEC letter.
Eight programmes not recommended
The DEC letter lists as not recommended: B.A (Fashion Technology), BCA-MCA Integrated, MCA, M.Sc (Biotechnology), MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), and Diplomas in Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Communication Engineering.
Territory limited to Sikkim; franchising prohibited
DEC stated the institution's territorial jurisdiction “shall be Sikkim State” and that it will not franchise any Study Centre. UGC-DEB adds that private universities cannot open centres beyond State jurisdiction.
Other questions referred to earlier UGC reply
Questions on Section 2(f) status, dissolution, Sikkim Alpine University and public disclosure were answered as already replied by the CPP-I/PU Section.
“No further recognition has been accorded to above University.”
— UGC Distance Education Bureau, RTI reply F.No. 1-1086/2026(RIA)/176169
What employers and students should know
Employers: an EIILM distance degree can only fall within this approval if it is one of the three programmes and linked to the 2009-10 academic year. Any other distance programme — or any study outside Sikkim — is outside what DEC approved. Individual degrees must still be verified, keeping in mind that the university is recorded as dissolved in UGC's earlier reply.
Students and graduates: gather your admission year, programme name, and where you studied and sat exams. Those three facts decide whether your degree sits inside the 2009-10 approval.
- Check your programme name against the three approved: B.A (Hospitality & Tourism), BCA, MBA.
- Check your academic year: distance recognition covered 2009-10 only.
- Note where you studied and were examined — jurisdiction was limited to Sikkim.
- Read the earlier UGC reply on EIILM's dissolution in this library.
- Seek advice before relying on an EIILM distance degree for employment or further study.
What this record shows:
- UGC-DEB's statement that EIILM University had distance recognition only for 2009-10, for three programmes, with no further recognition.
- The DEC's list of recommended and not-recommended programmes, and its conditions: Sikkim-only jurisdiction and no franchised study centres.
What it does not show:
- It does not itself confirm dissolution, Section 2(f) status or the status of Sikkim Alpine University; those questions were referred to the CPP-I/PU Section's earlier reply.
- It does not mention the Mauritius campus by name.
- It does not rule on any individual's degree.
Every statement on this page is drawn from the official document described above. Readers should rely on the original document and the issuing authority for any decision.